Hinge device



June l, 1943.

Filed June 4, 1940 J. M. LUKER HINGE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JACKSON M. LUKER Jun 1, 1943.

J.. M. LUKER .2,320,370

HINGE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1940 FIG. 7.

INVENTOR JACKSON M. LUKER BY Patented June 1, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to hinge devices, and more particularly to hinge devices of the general class adapted for use with auto seats, studio couches, load leveling devices and the like, wherein it is desirable to selectively maintain certain relatively movable elements in any one of several positions.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device for auto seats, studio couches and the like, wherein th'e rear cushions may be disposed at substantial right angles to, or in the plane of the seat cushions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sturdy, yet inexpensive hinge device which may be simply and easily attached to the standard front seat hinge mechanism of an automobile whereby the rear cushion may be lowered rearwardly of and into the plane of its respective seat cushion for providing a bed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device having the hereinabove described characteristics which' will permit the adjacent edges of a rearwardly lowered rear cushion and its seat cushion to be in abutment whereby the resultant bed is coplanar and continuous.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hinge device which ls particularly adapted for studio couch use in providing a frame structure for supporting the rear cushions and their respective springs in an upright position relative to the seat cushions, and which will permit the frame structure to be swung rearwardly of and into theplane of the seat cushions for providing a level double bed.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel hinge device which is structurally simple, sturdy and adapted to be manufactured in great quantities as well as being foolproof and dependable in operation.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the front and back seat assemblies of an automobile showing the front seat in its normal upright position, and showing in dotted lines, the rear cushion of the front seat in its forwardly and rearwardly lowered positions.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig, 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line li--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of hinge forming a detail of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the hinge oi Fig. 5 associated with the seat structure of Fig. l.

Fig. '7 is a perspective View of another modied form of hinge structure comprising a detail of the present invention.

With reference to Fig.' 1, the numeral 20 indicates generally the side board or frame to which auto seat cushion 2| is secured. The rear cush ion, denoted generally by the numeral 22, is normally disposed'in an upright position, denoted by the letter A, whereby to provide an upright back rest for seat cushion 2 l.

Rear cushion 22 is adapted to be lowered forwardly over seat 2|, as indicated by the broken lines to position B, or it may be lowered rearwardly relative to seat 2l to position C, as indicated by the broken lines. It is highly desirable that the rear cushion be operatively connected, at all times, to seat cushion 22 or to other suitable support means, in order to preclude accidental or unintentional disassociation of the rear cushion from its seat cushion while being moved between positions A, B and C.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a linkage member 30 is secured to and carried by opposite ends of rear cushion 22. Each linkage member may include a bottom face 23 and a rear face 24, disposed at substantial right angles thereto. The forward end of each linkage member is p-ivotally connected, as at 3l, to end frame 20 whereby the rear cushion may be swung forwardly, that is, in a clockwise direction, over seat cushion 2|, from position A to B. Movement of cushion 22 about pivotal connection 3| rearwardly of seat cushion 2l is precluded b-y reason of contact between bottom face 23 of linkage member 30 with upper face 25 of frame 20.-

For the purpose of the present invention, the pivotal connection at 3| is preferably detachable or releasable in order to permit the connection with the linkage member to be severed thereby disconnecting it from the side frame 20. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, one illustrative type of releasable pivotal connection means is disclosed which has been found quite satisfactory, however, it should be understood that other connector means can be substituted for the one illustrated, if desired. The pivotal connection at 3| comprises a laterally shiftable lock pin 32, the shank 31 of which is provided'with a pair of spaced shoulders 33 which are engageable by the rounded portion 34 of a key hole slot 35 provided in the lower forward face of linkage member 30. With reference to Fig. 3, it is noted that the linkage member illustrated comprises a pair of spaced 5 parallel metallic sheets or members which are connected along rear face 24. During those periods of time when the rounded portion 34 of the keyhole slot 35 engages shoulders 33, linkage member 30 is pivotallyconnected' to end or side frame 26. In'order Yto release this pivotal con' nection, pin 32 is adapted to be shifted to the right, against the counter force of spring 35, whereby to dispose reduced shank 31 in vertical alignment with theinarrow constricted passage- 1f way 38 of keyhole slot 35.

If desired, pin 32 may be supported `IbyV a U-shaped bearing bracket 39 suitably secured to the upper face 25 of side frame 20 by means of. bolts or screws |38.'n vIn order to facilitate actual l tion of lock pin 32, a head or knob |32 may be I provided on` its free end, aslsnown.

Inorderv to lower the rear cushion into horizontal position C, the pivotal connection at 3| is broken, thereby permitting linkage Ymember. 3G and its" associated rear cushion vto be shifted relative to side'frame 20; "With reference to Figs. l and 2; it is seen that linkage member 30 is provided with a guide pin '40 which is permanently and rigidly secured thereto. Pin `40 is adapted to engage bracket 4| which may be carried by'and secured to side frame 20 by suitablemeans not illustrated. Bracket 4l comprises a horizontal channelway 42 open at.its forward upper end at 43,A and a communicating closed end-vertical ohannelway 44.

In the preferred embodiment of the' invention, the width" of channels 42 and44 is the'same: Likewise, the; spacing'of the longitudinal aXs ofY the vertical channelway44 from the rear face 2&5/ o of sideA frame '120is the-same `as `the spacingof the AlongitudinalI axis of ther horizontalV channelwas7 42'fromthe/upperface 25 of said side frame.- Suchconstruction'permitstheilower face of rear cushion 22;-'when in position C, to abutthe rea-r f face of seat- 'cushion' 2-| Awith the samedeg-reevof snugness as the lower face-abuts-the upper-face of the seat cushion whe'r1=dis'pcsedkin'upstandingVV position -A. A Y

Duringthoseperiods oftime --when linkage member-30 is in engagement with pivotal connection 3|,T- guidelpin 40fwill=be moved along are 45 a (Fig. `1) as .the-reancushion is swung forwardlyv relativevtolseat 2|-' between position 2A and B. After-the y pivotalconnection-at -3| has vbeen. brokengrearcushion 22-and linkage `member 30- may be bodily shifted, rWhile in anL upstanding. position, rearwardly relative to seat cushion 2| andV side frame ,-20 .until pin 40'is disposed in area D, defined by the intersection of channelways 42 and 44:; The rearycushion andV linkage member in are then adapted to besswungrearwardly, that is, in a vcounterclockwise direction, about pin i140' whichvacts as'anaxis,Y until bottom face 23 of they rear cushion is parallel with rear face 26 of side. frame' 20;. Cushion- 22 andy linkage .member 30 'y 'i may vthenv bev vertically lowered into position lC whichY is in :theplanefzof seat cushion12 I .l

It should-- beil observed that theglevel;r or hori-,f zontal-plane=ofthel'forward- -fac'e- 122 of -rearwe cushion22,!when'loweredto position C,is deter'- Y mined and iix'edbyithe'distance to which guidepin 4U; enters-"vertical` channelway` 44. The *def gree-towhich pinf40 enters channe1way44may be 'rlxed or 'it mayr be' verticallyv 'adjustable by '75 CJD means of a lock plate 46 secured to bracket 4| by means of bolts 41 which cooperate with slots 48, as shown. By reason of such construction, it is but a simple matter to align forward face |22 of the rear cushion with the upper face |2| of the seat cushion whereby to provide a iiat, level bed surface.

It should be again observed that the bottom face 23 of the rear cushion 22 will contact and be in coplanar abutment with the rear vertical face 25 of the seat cushion by the same amount by which it contacts and abuts the upper face |21 ofthe seat cushion when it, the rear cushion, is disposed in position A. In this manner a snug t is obtained between the adjacent faces of theV b-edforming members.

In orderto support the top portion 222 of rear cushion when lowered into position C, a suitable legmember 27, pivotally secured to and carried 'by the upper rear face 28 of said cushion may be provided. VThis leg may engage oor 29, a3 shown, to support cushion 22 in the horizontal position C as shown in Fig. v1.

It should be observed that the entire seat assembly may be bodily shifted forwardly or rearwardly upon rollers |30 or upon suitable guideways, not illustrated, as is customary in the automobile industry. Such lateral adjustment ypermits the rear cushion 22,. when in position C to bemoved into yabutment with the front face HH of the rear-automobile-seat cushion |02, shown in broken lines. In`this manner it is possible to provide a continuous, level bed surface consisting oftheseat cushions 2| and |92 of the front and' rear seats, and the vrear cushion 22 of the front seat, as shown;

In'order to return rear cushion 22 and' linkage member 30 Lto position A, it is necessary Aonly to reverse the lowering "procedure, hereinabove lset forth.

With reference to Figx5, a nicdied type of hinge deviceis illustrated.`Y` This device differs from the hinge of Fig.- 1 in the following'respects, j

viz; -guide-pin50 disposed at the rear corner of linkagemember-S instead of at thev interme@V diate location of pin 4i] of Fig. l. In all other respectsthe-linkagemembersof -Figs.1 and 5 are the same.-'-

Thegprimary differencelbetween they bracket member v5| v'Tof Fg.5, andy bracket 4| of-Fig. 1 is that bracket 5| of Fig.l5 liasonly a vertical channelway;u.52-.with vwhich guide vpin 5i)Y is aligned A during those periods` of time whenfthe rear.. ,cushion 22 is in position A. .'Ihe rearwall of bracket 5| is provided withV a vertical "opentoppedlslot 54,'the lateral width vof'whicli is of a dimensionsuicient yto permit the rear portion of linkage member 3) to be'freely received there- Vbetweenwhen in lowered position C.

lIn the preferred embodimentof rthe invention, the rear portion "o'f bracket side wall 56 is higher than the forwardportion 5l "in order to providev Aan `elevated edge mo-r stop" 55, withlwhich I" Y. A secondi modified Yform of hinge device Iis illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein thei guide .pin come; Y prises a spherical head or ball k6E! 'carried byiand;v secured to the lower end of fixed link 6i. The upperend of link 6| ris suitably anchoredgto the klower face 23A'of linkage member 30 whereby ball is spaced from said lower face as shown,

Ball 66 is adapted to cooperate with the circular portion 63 of a vertical keyhole-shaped channelway 64 of bracket 62. The circular portion 63 is in communication with the rear face 66 of its bracket by means of the narrow throat portion 65,as shown.

During those periods of time when the rear cushion is disposed in an upstanding position A (Fig. 1), ball 60 engages the upper portion of the circular part. 63 of channelway 64. When the pivotal connection at 3| has been released, linkage member may be swung rearwardly, counter clockwise, about ball 60 as a pivot. The rear face 24 of bracket 30 is adapted to be lowered into throat 65 to abut upon bottom face 66 of channelway 64. By reason of the ball-andsocket relationship between ball 66 and the circular portion of the keyhole shaped channelway 64, relative side motion between the rear cushion and the seat cushion is eiectively precluded during those periods of time when the rear cushion is being moved between positions A and C, Fig. 1.

It should be observed that by reason of the constructions hereinabove described, the rear cushion may be swung forwardly or rearwardly of its normal upright position A without the use of expensiveor complicated hinge mechanisms. It should likewise be observed that the linkage members 30, rear and seat cushions 22 and 2l and side frame 26 are standard automotive equipment on. practically every modern U. S. automobile. To equip the seat Istructures of such automobiles with the present hinge device, it is only necessary to attach a guide pin such as 40, 50 or 60, to the standard linkage member; secure a socket member 4|, 5l or 62, to the standard side frame 26; and substitute a break-pivotal joint as at 3i for the standard xed pivot usually provided. By such procedure it is possible to quickly and easily, also inexpensively equip an automobile with a front seat, the rear cushion of which can be quickly and easily lowered into a plane, comfortable bed.

It should be understood that in almost every instance, the opposite side or ends of a back rest member or cushion are each provided with duplicate, complementary hinge structures. It should be further observed that the present invention is not concerned with nor directed to the manner in which the various rear and/or seat cushions are secured to their respective supporting structures. The term rear cushion, as used herein, is used in the sense of meaning the back or back rest cushion or member which when disposed at substantially right angles to a horizontal seat cushion or member, provides a vertical back support for persons sitting on the seat cushion.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a compact structurally simple hinge device, which may be sold as standard equipment, or which may be later attached to seat structures such as automobile seats, studio couches and the like. By reason of such devices, it' is, for the first time, possible and practicable to make a comfortable level bed surface out of the rear and seat cushions of an automobile, studio couch or other seat structure.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hinge device for seat structures, which comprise a substantially horizontal seat member and a back rest member disposed normally at substantially right angles thereto, said device consisting of a linkage member having a bottom and a rear wall, a pair of said linkage members being carried by and permanently secured one each to opposite sides of said back rest member, a pair of side frames permanently xed one each to opposite sides of said seat member, each side frame including a top and a rear face, pivotal means carried by said side frames for releasably engaging one each a linkage member,.said pivotal means providing a common axis about which said back rest member may be swung forwardly i over saidjseat member, a pair of brackets fixedV one relative to the rear of each side frame, each bracket including a vertical channelway, a channelway engaging member secured to and carried by each linkage member, the back rest member and its associated linkage members adapted to be swung rearwardly of said seat member and its associated side frames about said channelway engaging members after said linkage members have been disengaged from their respective pivotal means, said back rest member then adapted to be swung rearwardly until the bottom walls of said linkage members are disposed at substantially right angles to the top faces of their corresponding side frames, after which said channelway engaging members are adapted to be lowered into their respective channelways for disposing the bottom walls of said lingage members in substantially parallel, abutting adjacency with the rear faces of their corresponding side irames and wherein said back rest member is lowered into the horizontal plane of said seat member for providing a uniplanar, continuous supporting surface having a width equal to the sum of the widths of said seat and back rest members respectively.

2. A hinge device for seat structures, and the like, which comprises a normally horizontal seat member and a back rest member normally disposed at substantially right angles thereto, said hinge device comprising a linkage member including a bottom face having `a forward and a rear end, said rear end terminating in a rear face disposed at substantially right angles to said bottom face, said linkage member being permanently secured to and carried by said back rest member, pivotal means fixed relative to said seat member and adapted to releasably engage the forward end of said linkage member for providing an axis about which said back rest may be swung forwardly over said seat member, the bottom face of said linkage member being adapted to engage said seat member when the back rest is disposed at substantially right angles therewith, said pivotal means precluding movement of said back rest rearwardly of the seat member, a channeled bracket disposed to the rear of said seat member, means carried by and secured to' said linkage member intermediate its forward and rear ends, said means adapted to slidably engage said channeled bracket only during those periods of time when said pivotal means are disengaged frorn said linkage member, said last mentioned means adapted to provide an axis about which said back rest member may be swung rearwardly of and lowered relative to said seat member for disposing said back rest in the horizontal plane of said seat member.

3. A hinge for seat structures, including a seat member disposed between and supported by a pair-of spaced sideffra'mes. and a. backrest cmemfi.v ber .:normallygidisposedg: in an` upstanding; .position, relative nto.; said-i seatximemben; said lhinge includinga a. linkage ymember:comprisingy a front:

and .a rear. endgna pairnf .said Vlinkagefmembers beingixed .one each .to theoppositefsides of rsaid. backrest member; pivotal meanscarried by each... siderameforlreleasably engaging the forward s end o-fvsaid` :linkage members; a bracket securedr to and' carried". byy each, sideiaframd.A a keyholev shapedV channelway provided; -in `Isaid. bracket, .a y headf secured to' andv carried-:byi the -rear :end-

of each linkage member, said head: adapted: to engage .the circular. portionof said keyhole shaped channelwaywhen-.said back rest member is disposed; in tits 1 upstanding-A position. and .While said 1 linkage; members. arefy engaged by. said .pivotal means, .each of .saidxheads comprising-fran axis about :which its' associated :linkage (member may betswungafter being first disengaged from said pivotalmeans, for disposing said `.linkage membersgone each in the throatof the'keyhole portion. bf a bracket and* whereby-.said back vrest member :is 'leveled vinto the planen-of said seatv member;

' 4. -A hingedevice zfor.seatstructures,- and the like,;which, include a substantially horizontal seat membergand an upstanding backrestv member,

said hinge device comprising a linkage memberv securedto and vcarried by saidback rest member, said member having ,forwardrand' rean ends;A

means. fixed .relative to said seat adapted tore' leasably. engage the forward vend of said memberk :forproviding a pivotalconnection about..

Which.'said back rest .mayfbe svvungforwardly over :said 'seat, said -zpivotal `connection. preclude ingmovementi'of said .back riestrearwardly of said` seat; meansfincludingfa .channelwaynhaving a substantiallyv 1;'. vertical :leg .f 'xedz. relative to .said

5 seat;.means1:on the .rear. portion :of .said :linkage member adapted to'l :engage said channelway..

When'=said.:back rest *..is in .l its :normal Aupstan'ding^ position` for :providing-ay pivotal Connection. about which Said :back rest member may'lbe moved. rela,

substantially level twith tsaidseat.

5. A hinge-device for' :seatfstructures 'anclz..theM liketzwhichrincludes .a seat member .and an.f.up-.; l5 standingback. resttmemben adapted 'lfor movementitoai position at lanzacute angle: vcvernanging the seat; andto a position ialongside'tof and levelV withl said;.seat,.said i. devicefcomprising. a linkage memberwhichvincludes.1a pair .of ispacedtentirely.

ancther..whe'1eby. to abe simultaneously. engaged by said-back rest memberwh'enin anLupstanding positionfrelative'to said.seat,f:and latchingimeans 1 30 'associatediwith said first 'mentioned :.p'ivot form-i. ing means for precluding accidental oriunintenf:

tional .movement of said .back rest member about said; second pivot;` forming' means.

JAoKsoNzM; LUKER.

tive to said .seat member` upon release of said. first f mentionedmeansito a positionfalorigsidefof Land.v 

